Leighton Park School Trust
Grove Sixth Form Centre and School Library
Grove Sixth Form Centre and School Library has been a two-year
renovation project of an existing underutilised building within the
existing school grounds at Leighton Park School.
Grove House was originally designed by Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed the Natural History Museum. This landmark project has seen this stunning building, which initially started life as a boarding house, sympathetically transformed into a modern educational building, creating a space which inspires and fosters academic excellence.
Whilst state-of-the-art to align with the demands of modern teaching, the scheme adopted a more traditional design palette to harmonise with its Victorian architecture and timeless Waterhouse
design principles.
Extensive remodelling and stripping back of the modern extensions were required to reveal the original structure and restore the building to its former glory and enable the creation of the
impressive and inspiring internal spaces. Notably the double height library & mezzanine study area and the Austen Lecture Theatre and adjoining external terrace which overlook the impressive Leighton Park grounds. In its new role, serving as Leighton Park School’s sixth form centre and school library, the building incorporates modern learning & teaching spaces, collaborative study areas and wellbeing & social spaces.
The project was delivered in three distinct phases, firstly, enabling & strip out, informing the detailed design process. This was followed by alterations, refurbishment and conservation of the building. Finally, a series of Client direct orders which included a large-scale soft landscaping scheme and furniture installation.
Now completed, this striking historic building now acts as nurturing environment for the school community to thrive.
Location
Reading - Berkshire
Service
QS - Full Service
Procurement
Traditional
Completion
2024
